Vilnius University (VU) has ceremonially concluded another academic year. During the traditional Finis anni academici celebration held at St John's Church, awards were presented for outstanding research achievements, patron titles were conferred, and symbolic commemorative diplomas were awarded to former members of the University community who suffered under totalitarian regimes and were expelled from VU.
Commemorative Awards for Outstanding Research Achievements
To encourage researchers to pursue excellence in scientific research, the Rector of Vilnius University presented commemorative awards to the authors and research teams behind the University's best scientific publications of 2025.
Awards for the best publications in the fields of natural sciences, technology, medical and health sciences, and agricultural sciences were presented to:
Researchers from the Institute of Biotechnology of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center: Junior Researchers Denis Baronas, Simonas Norvaišis, Justina Žvirblytė, and Vincenta Mikulėnaitė; Researcher Greta Leonavičienė; Research Biologist Karolis Goda; Karolis Šablauskas; Professor Laimonas Griškevičius of the Clinic of Haematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine; Senior Researcher Simonas Juzėnas; and Chief Researcher Linas Mažutis for the publication "High-throughput single cell omics using semipermeable capsules".
Researchers from the Institute of Biotechnology of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center: Junior Researchers Džiugas Sabonis and Deividas Vilutis; Senior Researcher Arūnas Šilanskas; Senior Research Chemist Audronė Rukšėnaitė; Chief Researcher Mindaugas Zaremba; and Chief Researcher Giedrė Tamulaitienė for the publication "TIR domains produce histidine-ADPR as an immune signal in bacteria".
Recognition for Outstanding Graduates
The Rector's Letters of Appreciation were presented to graduates whose academic performance and research achievements were recognised with Magna cum laude diplomas. This year, the distinction was awarded to 55 bachelor's graduates and 83 master's graduates.
Bachelor's graduates of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center awarded Magna cum laude diplomas: Sam Saddler, Laura Marija Račytė, Vincentas Raudys, Liutauras Usonis, Dominykas Grigorjevas, Urtė Busilaitė, Rūta Bugytė, Jolita Cibulskaitė.
Master's graduates of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center awarded Magna cum laude diplomas: Aistė Kundrotaitė, Danas Ivanauskas, Marija Duchovskytė, Justė Adomaitytė, Aistė Židonytė, Gabija Klimavičiūtė, Ieva Kerševičiūtė, Rima Miknaitė, Skaistė Talanovaitė, Greta Tamoliūnaitė, and Yana Karnitskaya.